Schools of the Past Guilford: The Village Schools – District #14 – Part 3

As was written in the preceding week’s articles “to be continued and this week we will be taking a look at the history of what would be eventually be called ‘The Union School.’” As was written the second schoolhouse in Guilford was built across from the Fire House and was destined, again, no to have a long life as an educational institution. As more and more of the smaller districts their schoolhouses, taking the opportunity to send the students to the village school, while still others chose to attend other schools. This writer will assume that decision was made as more than likely the students lived closer to another school rather than attend Guilford.

With the increase in student population this gave those in favor of Centralization a more strong voice in the affairs of the Guilford Township. With the talk of centralization reaching the State level, it would have far-reaching consequences on all School Districts, but most especially Guilford. With residents taking advantage of a new larger school building, they chose to send their children to Guilford for “a higher education.” This higher education had the equivalency of what is now Middle School formerly known as Junior High. This would eventually be the beginning of the end with the local Superintendents of Schools through the State Education Department acquiring more and more authority and power. The fate of the one-room schoolhouse was being sealed.